The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-10-09

1 thought what a Jolly place " "ouiu w io'
. dive aud swim, and nothing but my total
ignorance OF the natstory art kept me from
stripping of and plunging in. Suddenly my
attention was attracted by a slight flop on
the water. and looking round ] saw q big,
bullet looking head appear above the surface,
| had never seen one, but | knew at once that
this was a seal. having heard that they fire.
auented the Inch at certain times of the year.
He evidently did not see me, and, breathless
with excitement, | stole the rife 70 my shout
der. | covered him-but my hand shook so.
/ was afraid to fire. Taking a long, long
breath. 20 try and stay the bouncing Of my
heart, l again took aim, pressed the trigger,
and had the satisfaction to see the fish beast
give a conclusive spring out Of the water, roll
over on its SIDE, and splashing and
tumbhng about in a way that told me IT had
got It's death wound. Almost mad with Joy,
/ threw the rife 10 the ground, and began
clambering down the face OF The rocks 10
where my prey was now giving ITS last KICK.
] managed 10 get down 10 the waters eoge'
and stretching out, / was just able. To toncn
my seal. and when - gave a struggle 70 one
side. and j missed him. Twas not TO be done,
however. so catching o firm hold OF a TUT oil
sea weed growing out Of a rock. J bent FOR
ward and made another grab at II. when
whishi and / was in, head first. How ] man
aced 1t don't know, but when / came 80 my
senses I found myself clutching a rugged
ledge Of rock like grim death.
ON trying 20 climb up, what was my con-
sternation % find that the rocks shclyed IN
under me and afforded no foothold, while the
ieige on which my hands rested was 80 Shiny
and wet that / could hardly keep my hand on
10, much less raise myself by 1t. Half stupid
with fright, I could do nothing but yell out
for help for some time, but the only answer
was the knocking screams Of the sea gnis a.
they whirled over my head and The rom oi
the waves rs they dashed against the rocks.
Seeing at length that | was only wasting
the little strength / had left, stopped shout
inc mud looked about 90 see II there was no
,gev Of escape. Except about two feet Of a
LEDGE to which ! held on, / now saw that ON
both sides Of me. for several yards, the face
of the rock was perfectly smooth and Shiny,
so that had not the slightest chance Of being
able % work along, hand over hand, 90 some
spot where / could get up
on what would ] have given then 90 be
able t0 swim then even a half dozen strokes,
for what would have been sufficient 20 bring
me 90 q place where ! could easily have as
ceuded. But 10 was all no use-there / was,
and there ! should stay. tll help came. Again
and again ! shouted-but all % no purpose
What was my horror 20 see that AN oc
c"asionai wave now washed I'M through the
inlet and came surging up 90 where / clungi
remembered 10 was ebbiug when we LETT
Grant0n harh0r. and that the tide must now
be ON the flow
Ny terror gave me fresh strength. and ]
gave the most frantic screams Tor help. IL
seemed o fearful thing TO be rowned by
inche--to watch every wash Of the waves 60
% little and q little higher.
The sea was now dashing iu ang1ly through
the inlet and found 10 hard % keep my pre-
carious bold on the ledge.
Higher and higher came each wave Surging
up o. me. and / felt it was but a matter OF
moments closed my eyes and tried 10 pray,
but could think Of nothing but my dear,
fond mother. and Of her anguish when she
would hear that her only child was gone.
Higher and more angry l felt my hands
relax and J was just sinking when suddenly
felt a good. sound thump on the back. u
seemed 10 revive me, and looking over
my shoulder, What was my JOY 20 See A
short. stout plank washing up against
me. 10 had been driven in through the
opening without my noticing iti
To clutch DO was the work of an instant, and
the moment ] got a firm hold Of it ] felt
was safe. Pushing 1t before me / struck out,
and managed 10 propel 10 20 q place IN the
rocks where / easily got up. As sooni felt
my feet Oh firm footing again fell ON ny
knees and cried like d child ! must have
STAYED there some time, for the first thing
that aroused me WAS a dash Of spray over my
head as If some wave was making a last,
angry snatch al what they had begun 70 look
ON III, their lawful prey. This wakened me up
I'd the knowledge that the sooner was out OF
that the better. and / proceeded 70 climb up
the rocks. a matter Of no small difficulty, as ]
was thoroughly worn out and numbed.
when crawled back TO the camp
found tire boys over a blazing fire, cooking
meat and the hsn they had caught
They an gave a cry Of astonishment a.
they looked zap and saw my pale. hagearc
face and dripping clothes. ana commenced a
vol.ey of questions, which ! yainiy tried q
HUNMNT. .Nflf uNWfNNis t'nN ga %
and clappinc down a pannican of ale, viii
about AN ounce Of black pepper in IT, on the
fire. he quickly bad a drink ready which,
am sure. ought 20 have revived any one who
had onlv been "a short umed .oWned, so potent
was it. Thanks 20 it, the fire and "a eooc
dinner. added 10 a boys well known recuper
alive powers. , was soon all right and tolc
my story.
found that the boys did not intend calling
me tl dinner was ready, as they feared the,
might spoil my getting a shot They had 10
superstition Of anything being wrong. only
thiulin- chat ] was mtreurhed ma some quie
spot. waiting for "a pot shot at "a rabbit.
IflLaI lad Co wait for them ] fear they
would have found it hard t. find me. AtteI
DINNER we went % look at tine scene NJ 10y
adventure We found 10 "a regular seethm.
callron. aud shuddered as saw the wave
da.bine about modly from side oside agains
the rocks. and thought what would have been
INV fate III bad been a few minutes more II
the position / was SD.
There vas no sign Of the cause Of th'
adventure. so ] suppose it must eithe
have been washed ont to sea or ha''
sunk 20 the bottom Ned quaint,
remarked. when ] SAID, IL wish ! knew th
fate Of my seal" "Wel, one thing is certain
be was near putting a seal on your fate